Title

Authors

Home Institution

American University

Publication Date

Spring 2017

Program Name

Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender

Abstract

This is a practicum-based study on the impact of tourism on the creation and maintenance of a safe(r) space at the Vrankrijk. The Vrankrijk is a former squat and current volunteer-run community center and café, which hosts WTF Wednesday, a weekly safe(r) queer night of a voku dinner and performances. This research explores the current definitions of safe space as applied to the Vrankrijk. The study’s main focus is the impact of tourism on the Vrankrijk as a safe(r) space.

The study finds its roots in four experiential interviews with members of the community including a visiting band member whose group performed on WTF Wednesday and three regular bar and voku volunteers. Interview subjects spoke about their experiences with tourism at the Vrankrijk with consistent emphasis on the lack of impact they typically feel due to the safe(r) space building policies in place such as a strict door policy. he study finds that the Vrankrijk fosters a safe(r) space through a strict door policy which largely mitigates the negative implications of tourism. Additionally, interview subjects detailed the positive and negative attitudes they felt toward tourists who sometimes do enter the space. As a practicum based ISP, this research involves hands on volunteer work in the kitchen and cleaning the space on Wednesdays at the Vrankrijk.

This research is important for anyone studying safe spaces or queer identity within the Dutch context.